Nearly half of U.S. caregivers residing in a broadband household are tapping a digital health device as part of their care-taking routine, with 8 percent using an electronic watch and another 8 percent using online tools, reveals a new Parks Associates' report, "360 View: Health Devices and Services for Connected Consumers 2014."

The report notes 44 percent of current and future caregivers expressed interest in using an electronic panic device for emergency incidents, and 30 percent find a smartwatch with a panic feature appealing, according to an announcement. Parks Associates expects 32 million consumers will be actively tracking personal health and fitness online or by mobile devices by 2016 and predicts connected trackers will account for 81 percent of digital fitness tracker sales by 2018, with 66 million units sold.

The increasing use of mHealth digital devices for home-based care reflects two trends: an increasing number of households featuring a caregiver and advancing technology that can help those in the role, according to the report.

From the article "Caregivers tapping mHealth devices for emergency notification capabilities" by Julie Mottl.